By BETH ZUMWALT
The city of Pittsfield closed on acreage for a new industrial park the end of December, trading parcels with Steve and Debbie Rumple. At the January 16 meeting of the council, Gary Mendenhall announced 9.6 acres of the new 36 acre park had been tentatively sold.
“It is going to be called Pike County Hardwoods,” Mendenhall said. “It is part of a group called Legacy Holdings.”
After the meeting, Mendenhall said that the business would mill hardwoods, put them on a truck and ship them to St. Louis. After arrival in St. Louis, most of the lumber will be sent overseas.
In the same meeting, the council agreed to set the price for an acre of property in the park at $5,000 per acre.
“That’s what it was appraised at,” Chris Little, alderman ward 2, said.
The city will make gas, water and sewer available at the site.
Also at the meeting, the council reported they had talked to the Pittsfield Fire Department about replacing one of their trucks.
“The cost would be approximately $900,000,” Mendenhall said. “It would not be available for three years. If paid in full, there would be a $76,000 discount.”
Mendenhall said the fire department has been asked to look for a used one or other options at this time.
The council is looking for persons to fill openings on the library board, the lake advisory board and at the historical preservation board.
While on the subject of boards, Mendenhall announced the appointment of Rob Seybold as the new Park Board president.
The council also discussed designating a snow emergency route, especially around the square and other highly traffic areas where on-street parking is allowed. No action was taken.
